On Your Mark, Get Set...READ! A Great Success at Alexander County Library and Bethlehem Branch

Alexander County’s libraries were running, hopping, and hiking this summer with “On Your Mark, Get Set…READ!” - the summer reading program which ran from June 19 -  August 6, 2016.  629 Alexander County youth signed up for the program and over 1300 people attended program events.  A record breaking 14,142 hours of reading were reported to the libraries by participants.

Alexander County Library’s Photo Scavenger Hunt team for the National Teen Lock-in GAME ON event won the nation with creative poses and team building. Congratulations to the team for great work!

Many people and organizations were crucial to assist Alexander County Library and Bethlehem branch with the summer program.  The library wishes to thank:  Alexander and Bethlehem Friends of the Library; Marea Parson; Reformation Lutheran Church; therapy dog, Abby, and her mommy, Kim Hertzler; Alicia Addington;  Alisha Stamey and staff of Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area; Sherry Williams and staff with Alexander County Schools Food Program; Christine Deal and Alexander Central Auditorium; Mindy Severt and NC Cooperative Extension; Sparky and Firehouse Subs; State Library of North Carolina; National Teen Lock-in ;  Collaborative Summer Library Program; and all of the volunteers who help create and maintain the program through the summer.

Big Me, Little Me had parents/caregivers and young patrons moving and shaking during the summer reading program.  Thanks to Marea Parson for offering to do this awesome program for the library.  And thanks to Reformation Lutheran Church for allowing us to use their fellowship hall. 

Our reading therapy dog, Abby, had many readers through the summer.  Many thanks to her and her mommy, Kim Hertzler, for sharing their time with us - for summer and when she returns September 26 on most Mondays throughout the school year.

Always a good time at Preschool Storytimes!  Thanks, Rachel Hollingsworth, for the fun photo!

The “On Your Mark, Get Set…READ!” theme was through the Collaborative Summer Library Program.  The collaborative assists public libraries to encourage summer reading for students. CSLP provides themed material and art work at a low cost.  Many states and municipalities in the U.S. participate in the collaborative.

Next year’s theme will be “Build A Better World” and will be construction and architecture based.  The program will run June 18 – July 29, 2017 so mark those calendars!

School is back in session, but don't forget the public library for all your literary and technology needs! Teens have Teen Poetry Happens beginning Tuesday, September 20 at 3:30 pm at Reformation Lutheran Church. 

Hope to see you soon!

Mel